1. Describe the stasis in the play: where, when, who, what, etc. in a paragraph. The stasis at the beginning of the play is Brenda’s early teen years. Her family is introduced, as well as Kali Aunty Mary, and her friends from high school like Steve, Sherry, Hai, and her teacher Judy. The beginning of the play paints a picture of Brenda’s life on the westside, and what her first time stepping out and branching away from the westside.
2. What is the intrusion? I think the intrusion is when Kali returns the first time, about four years later. This rekindles their relationship, and then when he leaves again for Thailand and returns after being in prison, this leads to the action at the end of the play: the shootout between Smoke and Kali and their “gangs”.
3. What is the unique factor? The unique factor is that this day is the day that the narrator decided to tell her story. She is speaking from the present, about her past.
4. What is the dramatic question that should be answered by the end of the play? The dramatic question that should be answered by the end of the play is whether Brenda can get away from and be “more” than her westside roots.
5. Provide an illustration of the two kinds of exposition that the play has in it. The first kind of exposition is demonstrated in that the narrator knows her story. The second type of intrusion is what the narrator chooses to share about her story and the characters in the story.
6. Identify the most theatrical moment in the play and of what importance it seems to be. The most theatrical moment in the play is the ending of the play, specifically the shootout between Smoke and Kali’s gangs. The entire play was leading up to this moment, and it is important because it gives a picture of life on the westside, and no matter how far you go to get away from the westside, you will always have a connection there and find your way back.
7. List some of the themes of the play. The play narrates Brenda’s life as she grows up and the different people who were apart of her life from when she was 13 until her late 20’s. The theme of family, heritage, and identity are discussed. Brenda feels strong responsibility for her family, and that keeps her grounded firmly in the westside. She discusses being seen only as a minority at school and university saying that “on the weekdays I was a model minority” but feeling as though that was not who she truly was. As well, she felt was put in the category of “westsider” but feel she wanted to stay this way.
8. What do the narrator want and what are some obstacles that stand in the way of her getting what she wants? When Brenda is 14, she wants to leave the westside. She goes to college outside the westside, but soon drops out because she feels too guilty for leaving her mother alone to take care of all the kids. This shows that Brenda’s obstacle is herself. She faces her own self-conscious and ultimately loses because she returns home. This is a recurring theme throughout her life, and eventually people (Kali, Sherry) draw her back to the westside through obligations.
9. Describe some possible images in the play and how does the title help us understand the play. The image of the rose garden demonstrates that good can still come from rough neighborhoods. And in the end, when it is mentioned that the rose garden is now overgrown with thorns, but some roses still grow, this symbolizes that good can still come from tough surroundings. Brenda still had a good life, and was a good person despite growing up on the westside. The ocean symbolizes something that is always constant, something you can come back to year after year. This is symbolic of the relationship between Brenda and Kali, and Brenda and the westside. Kali and the westside are both things that Brenda constantly returns to throughout her life.
10. Briefly define the family relationships that are examined in the play. First, Brenda’s obligations felt toward her family are what draw her back to the westside, as I discussed earlier. Second, Kali and Smoke’s relationship is like that of brothers, but one turns on the other, leading to Kali’s death. Though not expanded upon much in the play, this relationship shows how important loyalty was to each of them, and what disasters result from distrust and betrayal.
1. Describe the stasis in the play: where, when, who, what, etc. in a paragraph.
The stasis at the beginning of the play is Brenda’s early teen years. Her family is introduced, as well as Kali Aunty Mary, and her friends from high school like Steve, Sherry, Hai, and her teacher Judy. The beginning of the play paints a picture of Brenda’s life on the westside, and what her first time stepping out and branching away from the westside.
2. What is the intrusion?
I think the intrusion is when Kali returns the first time, about four years later. This rekindles their relationship, and then when he leaves again for Thailand and returns after being in prison, this leads to the action at the end of the play: the shootout between Smoke and Kali and their “gangs”.
3. What is the unique factor?
The unique factor is that this day is the day that the narrator decided to tell her story. She is speaking from the present, about her past.
4. What is the dramatic question that should be answered by the end of the play?
The dramatic question that should be answered by the end of the play is whether Brenda can get away from and be “more” than her westside roots.
5. Provide an illustration of the two kinds of exposition that the play has in it.
The first kind of exposition is demonstrated in that the narrator knows her story. The second type of intrusion is what the narrator chooses to share about her story and the characters in the story.
6. Identify the most theatrical moment in the play and of what importance it seems to be.
The most theatrical moment in the play is the ending of the play, specifically the shootout between Smoke and Kali’s gangs. The entire play was leading up to this moment, and it is important because it gives a picture of life on the westside, and no matter how far you go to get away from the westside, you will always have a connection there and find your way back.
7. List some of the themes of the play.
The play narrates Brenda’s life as she grows up and the different people who were apart of her life from when she was 13 until her late 20’s. The theme of family, heritage, and identity are discussed. Brenda feels strong responsibility for her family, and that keeps her grounded firmly in the westside. She discusses being seen only as a minority at school and university saying that “on the weekdays I was a model minority” but feeling as though that was not who she truly was. As well, she felt was put in the category of “westsider” but feel she wanted to stay this way.
8. What do the narrator want and what are some obstacles that stand in the way of her getting what she wants?
When Brenda is 14, she wants to leave the westside. She goes to college outside the westside, but soon drops out because she feels too guilty for leaving her mother alone to take care of all the kids. This shows that Brenda’s obstacle is herself. She faces her own self-conscious and ultimately loses because she returns home. This is a recurring theme throughout her life, and eventually people (Kali, Sherry) draw her back to the westside through obligations.
9. Describe some possible images in the play and how does the title help us understand the play.
The image of the rose garden demonstrates that good can still come from rough neighborhoods. And in the end, when it is mentioned that the rose garden is now overgrown with thorns, but some roses still grow, this symbolizes that good can still come from tough surroundings. Brenda still had a good life, and was a good person despite growing up on the westside.
The ocean symbolizes something that is always constant, something you can come back to year after year. This is symbolic of the relationship between Brenda and Kali, and Brenda and the westside. Kali and the westside are both things that Brenda constantly returns to throughout her life.
10. Briefly define the family relationships that are examined in the play.
First, Brenda’s obligations felt toward her family are what draw her back to the westside, as I discussed earlier.
Second, Kali and Smoke’s relationship is like that of brothers, but one turns on the other, leading to Kali’s death. Though not expanded upon much in the play, this relationship shows how important loyalty was to each of them, and what disasters result from distrust and betrayal.